I thought I couldn’t do it
I thought it was not mine to have
but I kept trying
and one end of summer day
there it was
a bright red poppy
crepe paper petals
edged in white
it’s curved spine
and drooping head
a fragile reminder
of dead soldiers and Dorothy
and fields of euphoria.
My friend said
it’s definitely a sign
my knock on the door
of the universe
a call from the grave.
These poppies are so heavy
and light
this crimson makes me crazy
with desire
and fright!